Haddock & Company

11/21/2022

We are at today! Grant Haddock and Kimberly Little will be speaking at “Ask the Lawyers” at 10:15. Apparently 75+ attendees!

11/09/2022

Media Release: Housing Co-ops Are Getting More Affordable: Report

CHF Canada releases report: Housing Co-ops are historically more affordable than rentals.

Today, a new report comparing housing charges (rents) in co-op housing with rents in similar private market rental buildings was released. It looked at Vancouver, Victoria, Edmonton, Toronto and Ottawa between 2006 and 2021. The report shows that rent trends in non-profit co-op housing differs drama...

09/29/2022

$500M co-op plan floated by Vancouver council candidates

Would'nt this be great!

Vancouver councillor and mayoral candidate Colleen Hardwick says a total $1.5-billion co-op plan could create 6,000 units on city-owned land — and break even over time.

09/28/2022

North Van landlord grapples with lengthy residential tenancy delays

Interesting comment at the end about residential landlords getting out of the business. Government policy and lack of proper RTB funding is pushing us toward less rental stock, more competition, higher rents - and continued exodus from the GVRD.

Property owner Araz Ounchi says he's been left in a financial lurch after his tenants stopped paying rent.

09/26/2022

UBCM members endorse resolution supporting clotheslines to cut energy consumption | CBC News

This absurd - of all the excellent recommendations and demands made by UBCM on accessible and affordable housing, this is the headline chosen by CBC.

In countries around the world, clothes are often dried outdoors under the warm sun, but in B.C. strict bylaws keep many residents from setting up a clothesline or putting out a drying rack.

09/22/2022

Fall Education Conference - CHF BC

CHF BC

Please join us online or in person for brand new workshops at our 2022 Fall Education Conference on Saturday, October 22, 2022.

09/09/2022

Remembering the Queen. The photo is of my grandfather, Courtney Haddock, then Mayor of Victoria on the occasion of the 1971 Royal Visit.

08/30/2022

NDP MPs want crackdown on ‘corporate landlords’ that are making housing more unaffordable - Vancouver Island Free DailyVancouver Island Free Daily

REITs coming under fire from the NDP government. They really are buying up anything they can get their hands on. http://ow.ly/sUJP50Kv5SI

New Democratic party housing critic Jenny Kwan was in Nanaimo for round-table discussion

08/22/2022

B.C. still undecided on annual allowable rent increase for 2023, but commits to below inflation | CBC News

Seriously? Can't decide? Could it be a balancing act between keeping voters happy, bankrupting those who house the voter base and an underway leadership race. AKA, utterly political. http://ow.ly/mye750KpPGS

The B.C. government says it's still working to determine how much landlords can raise rents in 2023, but is committing to it being below the rate of inflation.

08/22/2022

City of Vancouver offers to renew 669 strata leasehold homes in False Creek South | Urbanized

False Creek leased land issue. There is a payment formula, but what does another 20 years cost? And will any of these stratas undertake any maintenance on buildings that approach 80 years of age on land you don't own? http://ow.ly/51Xp50KpPlS

False Creek South residents living in strata leasehold properties on land owned by the City of Vancouver have been in limbo on their future.

08/09/2022

B.C. Supreme Court quashes Vancouver bylaws limiting rent increase between single occupancy housing tenancies | CBC News

Finally, some push back from the courts on local government incursions into the Residential Tenancy Act jurisdiction. http://ow.ly/xRLs50KfvAu

A ruling from the Supreme Court of B.C. has quashed bylaws put in place by the City of Vancouver in December to limit how much property owners could increase the rents of single room occupancy (SRO) housing between tenancies.

08/09/2022

Senior governments urged to buy older rental apartment buildings

Local Government is getting more active on the housing front (ex. Burnaby, Post 83 and 115 Place Co-ops). There is a vacuum left by the CMHC exit and land assets to be had for public and tax payer benefit. http://ow.ly/Jpy250KfuHj

City of Victoria staff complain affordable rentals are being sold to big investors, but experts argue it is government policies that are forcing small, veteran landlords to sell

07/29/2022

Supporting co-ops will deliver more services to British Columbians | BC Gov News

Funding announcement to assist co-ops in British Columbia. http://ow.ly/Bcii50K6SmZ

A new investment of $2 million will support the development and growth of British Columbia’s co-operative businesses, while expanding services for people who use them.

07/19/2022

It's a form of affordable home ownership, but what exactly is co-op housing?

Here's great co-op housing primer featuring CHFBC's Thom Armstrong http://ow.ly/FEPW50JZIy4

You pay monthly, but it's not a rent. You're a landlord and a tenant at the same time. Sort of. Confused? We'll explain.

07/13/2022

Condo Smarts: Tony Gioventu pens 1,000th column on strata life

Amazing! Congratulations to Tony Gioventu - a leading voice in the strata industry for years. http://ow.ly/gLmo50JVmZP

Weekly Homes columnist began helping readers with strata-living issues in November, 2002

07/11/2022

I’m attending the CHFBC and Community Land Trust news conference at Post 83 Housing Co-op! Great news! The future is bright for Post 83 and 115 Place Housing Coop.

07/06/2022

B.C. strata ordered to pay back $19,000 worth of mask fines: tribunal

Just plain interesting! http://ow.ly/s1ee50JP8tf

The owner of the condo took the strata to the civil resolution tribunal and won.

06/27/2022

As record inflation hits B.C. renters, critics urge NDP to curb expected rate increases

My prediction: No one will be happy. Renters will want minimal increase not tied to inflation and landlords need an increase tied to inflation to stay in business. http://ow.ly/2uq850JJ6uS

Attorney General David Eby says tenants could face the shock of a five to six per cent rent hike next year

06/22/2022

B.C. landlords can increase your rent above the allowable limit in these situations

The VERY limited circumstances where a landlord can raise the rent beyond the legislated maximum. http://ow.ly/oC3450JFbVx

Here's everything you need to know about your rights.

06/22/2022

Ending 'renter bias': The arguments for and against ending rules that limit rental housing

Interesting article on rentals in strata corps. The main error is that strata council controls rentals (the owners by 3/4 vote do) and that you can simply work with your strata council to remove a rental ban (you can't) http://ow.ly/a79p50JFaHK

A 2018 government report recommended lifting rental bans in strata buildings but the NDP hasn't acted. Cities also need to change bylaws.

06/05/2022

Buying a mobile home was the best financial decision his family made — just don't call it a trailer | CBC Radio

Not usually found in the "affordable home" category, manufactured home parks are an affordable alternative to the housing crisis, but excluded from high land value areas like Greater Vancouver. http://ow.ly/vq0j50Jq28G

Buying a mobile home and moving into a community in Calgary has made Stephan Gardner’s life measurably better, especially from a financial perspective. But don't call it a trailer park, says one advocate.

06/04/2022

Getting ready for the start of Island Education Day!

05/31/2022

Island Education Day - CHF BC

CHF BC Island Education Conference is just a few days away! I'll be speaking as will Haddock & Company's Samantha Douglas. https://www.chf.bc.ca/event/island-education-day-2022-06-04/

Join us for our first in person education event on the island since 2019, and be a part of our ongoing mission to unite, represent and serve our members.

05/25/2022

bcnpha.ca

Housing Central weighs in on the Broadway Corridor plan. Read about non-profit and co-op housing sector solutions. http://ow.ly/eLlq50JibJk

05/18/2022

Broadway plan will cause 'transit-oriented displacement': Tenants union

I have posted before about keeping cool older neighbourhoods intact. It's a real conundrum - build lots of more expensive housing or keep a little affordable housing intact. http://ow.ly/G9iE50JbFYL

A survey found a 60 to 70 per cent gap between the median market rate and current median rent paid by tenants in purpose-built rental buildings along the Broadway Corridor.

05/18/2022

Recording of Hearings

Finally! The Residential Tenancy Branch is recording the hearings and allowing participants to apply to obtain those recordings. It's not a transcription, but there is no doubt that parties will be combing those recordings for grounds for appeal. http://ow.ly/usi550JaH74

recording of hearings

05/18/2022

Island Education Day - CHF BC

I will be speaking at the Island Education Conference on June 4, 2022. Its the always popular "Ask the Lawyers" and new this year, "Top 5 (or 10) Hot Topics Crossing Your Lawyer's Desk". http://ow.ly/S3Sl50JaGPh

Join us for our first in person education event on the island since 2019, and be a part of our ongoing mission to unite, represent and serve our members.

05/16/2022

Vancouver’s East End Food Co-op closes May 15, grocery business listed for $99,000

MEC and now another venerable co-op business ends operations. End of an era on Commercial Drive. http://ow.ly/1Jkl50J9yle

The co-op is a pioneer in the organic food movement.

05/14/2022

Co-op housing could help solve Canada's affordability crisis, advocates say

Best kept affordable housing secret that SHOULD NOT BE A SECRET!! Yes, I am shout typing. http://ow.ly/6RoM50J81wt

Ayanna Inniss believes the co-op movement could be part of the solution to this country's housing affordability crisis.

05/09/2022

Landlord charging double rent for vaccinated "COVID Cultists" (PHOTOS) | Urbanized

COVID cultists need not apply - looks like a human rights complaint based on religious grounds! http://ow.ly/qRa450J3os0

A BC landlord is going viral thanks to some questionable things that are mentioned in their Vancouver Craigslist listing.

05/06/2022

Prince Rupert takes steps to protect renters, as Vancouver grapples with similar issues of its own

Yet another local government decides to wade into and make additions to existing tenancy legislation. Moving toward separate regional housing fiefdoms reminiscent of the scattered German principalities of the early 1800s. http://ow.ly/ej4o50J1MWR

Prince Rupert, B.C., is taking steps to protect renters from poor living conditions and renovictions. Last week, the city passed a bylaw outlining basic maintenance standards for rental units and rules around evictions. Failure to comply could result in fines of up to $50,000. While provincial legis...

05/03/2022

Big win for tenants' rights in U.S. fuels push for renters' representation in B.C. | CBC News

Here is the news on renters representation after a big win in San Francisco. http://ow.ly/ia0T50IYEAN

A recent victory for tenants in San Francisco is bolstering the organizers of a would-be union for tenants in B.C. seeking to mobilize renters looking for protection from unreasonable rates and conditions.

05/03/2022

Residential Tenants' Associations in BC.pdf

Tenant's Unions have been in the news after a victory in San Francisco. Here is our (very old) take on tenant associations in BC from 2011. https://docdro.id/2WlC8wC

LEGALLY SPEAKING. RESIDENTIAL TENANT’S ASSOCIATIONS IN BC A recent decision of the B.C. Residential Tenancy Branch, dated May 7, 2010 considers the rights and powers of tenants’ associations in B.C. In that case, the landlord non‐ profit society operated a 71 unit apartment building for the be...

04/24/2022

City of Victoria adopts ‘historic’ affordable housing process - Victoria News

Anything to speed up the process!! https://www.vicnews.com/news/city-of-victoria-adopts-historic-affordable-housing-process/

Policy allows certain projects to bypass council, looks to spur housing creation

04/24/2022

Canada renewing its commitment to co-op housing with major investment, federal minister says | CBC News

Wow! Fantastic news for housing co-ops! http://ow.ly/S99R50IQFUq

The federal government will invest about $1.5 billion to build new co-op housing in Canada, the largest investment in co-op housing in 30 years, Federal Housing Minister Ahmed Hussen said Tuesday in Vancouver.

04/23/2022

Here we go! Thom and Garfield…

04/23/2022

Wow! NASA or CHF BC education conference?? We are live in person.

04/20/2022

CHFBC-Spring-Education-Conference-Main-Poster-v4-JT-HYPERLINKED.pdf

I will be speaking at the Spring Education Conference April 23 - "Ask the Lawyers" and "Cannabis in Co-ops". Sign up now! https://docdro.id/CMu5T4x

GOVERNANCE Ask the Lawyers Bring your most challenging questions to our team of experienced co-op lawyers. Spring Education Conference. Board Diversity Reflect on the importance of having diverse boards and explore ways to navigate diverse opinions around decision-making tables. Membership T ...

04/20/2022

Associate Posting 2022.pdf

Haddock & Company is hiring. We are looking to add an associate lawyer to our team - please see our post. http://ow.ly/ugR850IN5TZ

Grant Haddock [email protected] None April 19, 2022. ASSOCIATE LAWYER POSITION The housing industry remains strong and our firm continues to add exceptional lawyers to our experienced team to meet the demands of our rapidly expanding client base. Celebrating our 21st year on the North Shore in our ....

04/18/2022

Affordable rental housing under threat as Vancouver looks to densify with Broadway Plan

We are all about supporting more affordable housing, but that has to be tempered with preserving very cool neighbourhoods that are part of the existing stock - just not massively overdeveloped. Hard choices, for sure. https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/affordable-rental-housing-under-threat-as-vancouver-looks-to-densify-with-broadway-plan

The neighbourhoods around VGH could be rezoned for buildings up to 24 storeys